WASHINGTON (May 8, 2013) – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved a bipartisan bill speeding the United States’ transition to a more energy efficient economy by promoting available efficiency technologies for homes, businesses, industrial facilities and the federal government.

Franz Matzner, associate director of government affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council, made these comments on approval of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act bill authored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH):

“This important legislation will boost energy efficiency in buildings, industry and the federal government, which will benefit us all by curbing air pollution, reducing electric bills and creating clean energy jobs throughout the economy.

“The committee’s endorsement today shows the power of consensus that kept a far-reaching bill free of unnecessary add-ons. There is no reason to delay gaining its energy efficiency benefits as soon as possible. The way to get this done is for Congress to embrace this spirit of cooperation and keep this clean energy bill clean.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.